Red Swan Bush Bean
Certified Organic
Phaseolus vulgaris
Extraordinary color and deep, earthy flavor.
Dedicated life-long bean breeder Robert Lobitz once said, "Beans are a poor man's jewels." You may have experienced that heart-felt sentiment when admiring a handful of beans. Look closely: each one is different, and some are reflective, colorful, fit to be set as a pendant. The dusty pink color ranges from pale rose to deep magenta, with a bit a green in the background, giving them an iridescent appearance. The plants are quite striking, having bi-colored flowers that pop over the foliage, making Red Swan a great choice for edible landscaping, as well as a unique offering at the market booth. Perhaps Lobitz bred this bean to be a jewel as elegant as a swan.
The flavor is deep and earthy, similar to that of a Romano type. More than just pretty, these beans have an added value that no gemstone can provide: eating them makes your heart healthy. Red Swan is a newer variety, an open-pollinated bean that was bred out of a cross between a pinto and a purple podded bean, and makes for delicious fresh eating.
from $3.99
| Unit | Price | Quantity | Availability |
|---|---|---|---|
| Art Pack / Organic / 25 seeds | $4.79 | In Stock | |
| 50 Seeds / Organic | $3.99 | Out of Stock | |
| 150 Seeds / Organic | $6.99 | Out of Stock | |
| 8 Ounces / Organic | $11.49 | Out of Stock |
Price as selected:
Bush snap beans can be directly sown outdoors at recommended spacing after the last spring frost. It makes sense to inoculate beans before sowing, which boosts the nitrogen levels of your garden soil. Inoculant is available at garden centers. Sow bean seeds 3-4" apart in the row around the third week of May. Thinning is not necessary, but do keep the plants weeded, especially when young. Bush beans begin to bear in about 50 days, and their crop is produced in one brief burst lasting about 2 weeks. Once beans appear on plants, harvest every 1-2 days. Harvest when they are taut and filled out, but before the beans become discernible in the pods. Succession sow every 2-3 weeks for the first half of the season for a steady crop.
| Days to Germination | 7-10 days |
|---|---|
| Days to Maturity | 55 days |
| Planting Depth | ¾-1" |
| Height at Maturity | 16-20" |
| Width at Maturity | 18" |
| Sun Preference | Full Sun |
Artwork by Kathleen Marcotte. Inspired by Lobitz's saying, Kathleen highlights the bean's gemstone beauty in this digital depiction of Red Swan Bean. Look closely and you'll see that jewels and gemstones adorn the clusters of rose-dusted bean pods.